Why Messi can rule the World Cup

I said I think one of Brazil, England, Spain and a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina will win the World Cup.

That's because ...

... for me, the other big guns are lacking something.

Portugal and Germany are vulnerable defensively, Holland don't have quite enough quality, France are in disarray, with a coach the players don't seem to respect, and Italy lack a cutting edge.

I know Argentina performed badly in qualifying, but they have a lot of very good players, including the amazing Messi. England have a few concerns over their goalkeeper and some question marks over squad depth, but I think their first XI can hold its own against all the teams in the tournament. As for Brazil, they are perhaps not as exciting to watch as they have been in the past, but they ooze class, while Spain are current European champions and they have a great balance, depth and quality to their squad.

As for the Socceroos, I said I wanted them to attack a bit more. That's why I think they'll benefit from moving Tim Cahill back into central midfield alongside a defensive midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation. Cahill will still have the licence to break into the box, kind of like Paul Scholes used to in his heyday at Man United, and the team should carry just that bit more of a threat, which could really make the difference.

And just one more thing, I filmed my video before the Champions League games this week so I didn't get to talk about them. But how good was Mario Balotelli's free-kick for Inter? That really was unbelievable. It seemed to pick up pace as it made its way towards the goal. Ridiculous strike. Check it out on the web when you get the chance.

Which team do you think will win it? What do you think of the Socceroos chances? What tactics would you employ if you were Pim Verbeek? How good do you think Messi is? Who is the best: Messi or Ronaldo?

Posted
by Brian BrownsteinDecember 10, 2009 1:15 PM

LATEST COMMENTS

Its a tedious game which is made worse by the goalies who so often ensure a 00 draw. B-O-R-I-N-G

Posted by: Sean on December 10, 2009 2:48 PM

Messi is a football god and there is no other player who can match his skills and pace and vision in the modern era of football. He is truly a genius with the ball and I hope Argentina Win! I am sure he will be as influential for ARGENTINA as He is for the Blaugranas. Go Barca - GO Messi!

Posted by: wasim on December 10, 2009 2:57 PM

If you look at the trend of the winners from the history of WC, next year it should be either Brazil or Argentina's turn.

Messi has yet to prove himself on the international stage, same with C Ronaldo. So my bet is on Kaka/Brazil to claim the trophy.

Socceroos would be heavily relying on Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy to get the goals. So I am guessing a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Scott Mcdonald coming off the bench should they need to go all attack.

It will be a great achievement if they could match their last campaign and get into last 16, but the group is certainly harder than last time.

Posted by: Simon on December 10, 2009 3:12 PM

There will never be another Hagi, another Beardsley, or another Best, but there will be the glorious splendour of Football, and the eligible of those who seek to go only where the gifted tread. The Glory of Football.

Posted by: Jason on December 10, 2009 3:55 PM

Good vidblog, but needs better resolution.

Posted by: James on December 10, 2009 4:06 PM

Brian, You talk nonsense. Messi was utterly trite in qualifying. If he's fit, look no further than Ribery. And England? C'mon... England are good at making themselves favourites - in World football they've distinguished themselves only by their ability to completely misread their own talents. I was hoping they'd keep quiet this time, but no, they've gone and placed themselves favourites with Brazil and Spain. Nonsense. From one Englishman to another, I think we know how this is going to end. Hope you're well. Fancy a beer some time? Rob.

Posted by: Rob on December 10, 2009 4:44 PM

Jesus christ I spat water all over my keyboard whilst cracking up during your Dunga 'Brazil A vs Brazil B' quote.

I need that quote as a clean audio file so I can remix it!!

Posted by: JT on December 10, 2009 4:49 PM

Messi or Ronaldo? Neither. While they don't have any major title you can't say that. The best is the one who wins the World Cup because of himself (Maradona-1986, Romario-1994, Zidane-1998, Ronaldo-2002). Spain? Forget about it, they are known as the "almost" team, which titles do they have??? Messi fears Brazil... And actually nowadays Argentina fears too, because all the last important games against Brazil, they lost (Olympic games does not count, it is not important for us). England? Good team. My opinion is: Brazil (it is not an option not win), Germany (never underestimate them), England, and Argentina (nevertheless their group is very difficult, despite what people say. South Americans don't like to play against physical teams.)

Posted by: Marcello on December 10, 2009 4:50 PM

Good opinion. Horrible video.

Posted by: Marty on December 10, 2009 5:09 PM

I don't think Argentina has a chance. Spain will be the next Champion!!

Posted by: exceptic on December 10, 2009 5:18 PM

forget about who wins it, just think of the thrill of Australia knocking out England, its like winning 1,000,000 ashes tests at once.

Posted by: james dam on December 10, 2009 5:47 PM

Soccer what? Oh that boring game played with the round ball...

Posted by: Bruce on December 10, 2009 6:06 PM

I can't even watch the video!What's wrong with it? Would really love to see a non-favourite win in this time. So sick of Brazil winning!

Posted by: Bels on December 10, 2009 6:27 PM

Argentina if they had a good coach

Posted by: Mick on December 10, 2009 6:32 PM

To Bruce, FYI it's officially call "football", that's why the governing body has a name "Football Federation Australia" and not "Soccer Federation Australia".

To Sean, single minded people usually find the football is boring.

Single minded people also finding paintings held in an art gallery is boring!

Therefore there must be artistic quality in football.

Luckily to us, single minded people are only a small minority of human beings!!

Posted by: Gerson on December 10, 2009 7:30 PM

If Pim Verbeek keeps Playing Josh Kennedy as a lone striker we will finish bottom of our group with no points. No offense to Josh - Australia of late just cant score goals. Furthermore if we can only just beat teams like Oman and Qatar then what hope do we have against the likes of Germany and Ghana?

Posted by: CJ on December 11, 2009 8:27 AM

Argentina won't have a chance unless they get rid of Maradona as coach.

Have to say that Spain look like the likely winners - but will their World Cup implosion happen yet again.

Can't see Australia scoring enough goals to get throgh the group stages. England look good but it will probably be Brazil, Germany or Italy won win it.

Posted by: Alan on December 11, 2009 9:32 AM

Its looking to me as if going to be a Brazil v Spain Final. Brazil might pull it off but i hope if those two teams play spain wins.

Posted by: Ash on December 11, 2009 10:39 AM

England showed what a mickey-mouse outfit they were when they played Brazil in that friendly a few months back.

They are just not in the same class, I look forward to seeing them go out in the quarter finals as usual.

Posted by: K on December 11, 2009 10:54 AM

Spain will be the team to beat, finally they have conquered their demons and won something, they have the mos attacking football and great players.
Brasil will be there alongside Ivory Coast, the surprise team will be Australia after beating Germany in their opening game, they will fall short when suspensions for their physical style of play take its tall...
Messi or Messy? no chance..Argentina without Riquelme is a second class team..
England? no comment...

Posted by: Chejota on December 11, 2009 11:16 AM

Perhaps we can combine the oz and nz teams. That way we can have Shane Smeltz up front. Give the other spot to Ireland then everyone will be happy.

Seriously though the African teams will shine i think. Ivory Coast have a lot of quality. If they can escape their group with Brazil and Portugal, they can possibly go all the way.

Posted by: Patrick on December 11, 2009 11:22 AM

England to win another WC...please!

Holland, Brazil and Spain should be favourites and rightly so.

Holland have not lost in qualification and that needs to be respected and do have quality all over the park.

Spain are no 1 in Europe and have great players in all areas of the park and are due.

Brazil are always a chance.

Would love to see Eng vs Oz in the second round!

Posted by: johnny be good on December 11, 2009 11:34 AM

I just hope someone from Australia has a chat to someone at FIFA before every game about the referees and linesmen. This needs to be brought out into the public arena that the lesser teams should not be penalised by the referees when playing against Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy etc.
Certainly a referee who issues 2 red cards to a player, then fails to send him off, should not be rewarded with a berth in the finals as part of the refereeing team.
This is not just Socceroos sour grapes, but every minor team needs a fair go, and FIFA should not be tipping games with refereeing decisions, consciously or subconsciously. Big name players should not be given a free kick when they fall down ; unknown players should be given a free kick when they are poleaxed by big name defenders.
Could we also look at the throwins -- I don't think I've seen a legal throwin in a top-class game for years. Does it matter? If not, get rid of the rules.
FIFA is starting the tournament from a poor position after the France-Ireland debacle, which looks for all the world like a major effort to get France in and keep a lesser-known country out.
My advice to the Socceroos is the same as it has been since 1974: get the coach to show the team those two white sticks with a cross bar at the end of the field.
Tell them to put the ball in the net that hangs from those sticks. Practise some set moves, because you will get a free kick and a corner at some stage during the games.
Don't put Harry Kewell on the wing to send in magnificent cross balls if there is no Socceroo in the middle to receive the ball.
If the "professional" teams slow every attack with a cynical midfield foul (in the Italian style), complain and complain til a midfielder is sent off.
That's enough for now!

Posted by: Professor Rosseforp on December 11, 2009 12:10 PM

England should be in that list of teams that aren't good enough! Simple, but the English will never admit to this - its always something. This includes the "hand of god", Beckham's "wrongly" being sent off or being robbed on penalties! It's never.."we just aren't quite good enough". England have an easy group and may make it past the second team in group D (probably Australia or Serbia) if they play well. Then they'll be up against Argentina or France - Exit England!

Posted by: Mark on December 11, 2009 2:33 PM

Messi is SOOOOO overhyped it's not funny! The way some people go on about him, you'd think he single handedly dragged Barca to the treble last season! Yes, he's a wonderful player and is coming off a great season, but really that success was due to the efforts and service from the WHOLE TEAM (how many goals did they score, again?), especially Xavi and Iniesta, who have gotten nowhere near the credit they deserve.

In my humble opinion, at the moment Cristiano Ronaldo is the most complete attacking player around - almost a perfect combination of winger and striker - and has been the best (or at least most consistent) player in the world since the last World Cup, despite the occasional petulance and arrogance, which, last weekend aside, has improved since he joined Real.

As for next year's world cup, Argentina have the talent, certainly, but unless they get incredibly lucky I can't see them winning it with Maradona in charge. Spain (provided they keep the spirit of Euro 2008) or Brazil for me.

Posted by: funkymarinette on December 11, 2009 4:43 PM

I want to second Patrick; I think an African team will make the semis, and Ivory Coast looks most likely. Geography plays a part in World Cup success, always has. Sad to say, refereeing makes a difference and (consciously or not) big teams and local favourites receive a touch of bias. Less cynically, the African teams will all be motivated to deliver at the continent's first World Cup. Here's hoping they make the final, and play Spain.